Annual Conference
Listed below are our current and past conferences:
Annual Conference 2010
Connecting Rural Communities in the Digital Age - 16 March 2010 - at The Staffordshire County Showground
The focus of the day was delivering a universal standard of broadband service to rural communities, and the other opportunities that digital and broadband can provide.
The Minister for Rural Affairs and Environment, Dan Norris MP, presented the national perspective and explained the targets that the Government has set out for delivering broadband. This was followed by a lively Q & A session.
Cllr Roger Phillips was introduced as the new AWM Rural Board Member. 
There was an interesting insight into the emerging lessons rural policy development and implementation from the Welsh Assembly Government. 
Delegates then dispersed into their breakout sessions, where Enhanced futures for young people, Business the Virtual Way, and Broadband - widening horizons for older generations, gave the opportunity for individual experiences and perspectives to be considered and shared. Please see the notesfrom these sessions and general observations
BT’s Ian Binks then helped us all understand the current market, potential future solutions and presented the opportunity to
The Rural Media Company shared their experiences of working with rural communities, how their work has encouraged community cohesion, and allowed communities to frame their message and share it widely.
All of this was followed by a wonderful lunch – including large pieces of cake (I only had one – honest).
Overall, after reviewing the feedback sheets, the event was successful and enjoyed by most. There are always lessons to be learnt and we will be taking on board your feedback for future events.
Please see the attached:flyer for programme details and additional information
Presentations:
Anuual Conference 2008
The 2008 Rural Conference was held on Wednesday 12th November at the Holiday Inn Bromsgrove(formerly the Bromsgrove Hotel). The theme for this year's conference was 'Building A Stronger Rural West Midlands' and focused on the changes that will be faced by the Region during the next few years,particularly after the Sub-National Review. The conference was also used as a vehicle to highlight some of the achievements that have occurred in the Region.
Anuual Conference 2007
The annual WMRAF Conference - Sustainable Rural Communities: 'Our Future in Your Hands' - was held on Friday 16 November 2007 at Dunchurch Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Rugby.
The report of the event, and presentation slides from some of the talks, can be seen be following the links below. (All files are in PDF.)
Conference report
Presentation slides:
Opening speech - Robin Mortimer,Defra
What do sustainable communities mean to me? - Chris Kolek, CRC
Case study 1: Shropshire Pathfinder - Clare Greener
Case study 2: The Peak District National Park - Richard Godley
Case study 3: Rural Hubs - James Walton
Message from Nick Read, Chairman of the West Midlands Rural Affairs Forum:
The word "sustainable" has become one of the most significant, or at least most often used, words of our time. It seems to apply to everything from farming to funding. It is, of course, very important that we live sustainably - but in practical terms what does that mean for those living in a rural context? It obviously encompasses a wide range of issues such as access to services, transport and the infrastructure that supports our towns and villages, and also the environment and responsible land use policies. To be truly sustainable a community must also experience those things that make people want to live and work together - the spiritual and social aspects of our lives.
Anuual Conference 2006
Our Environment Our Future: 'The Rural Response to Climate Change’
The Annual WMRAF Conference took place at the International Centre, Telford, on Friday 17th November 2006
Read the Report of the Conference here (in pdf format).
See more about the programme of the event here.
Message from Nick Read, Chairman of the West Midlands Rural Affairs Forum:
“The environment” and “Climate Change” are such large topics that many of us find it hard to grasp what, if anything, we can do about them. We are aware of the implications of climate change, and of some of the ways of addressing it, but it’s often difficult to see how we can make a difference to what is a global issue. This year’s Rural Affairs Forum conference is designed to help us all hone down to practical issues in the face of what has been described as one of the most important issues facing our generation. We hope that you will find the conference informative, challenging, but above all of immense practical value as we seek to find a rural response to climate change.
The conference will, as previously, also be an opportunity to bring people up to date with the emerging issues, policies and strategies that affect the West Midlands Region. I do hope you will be able to participate and I look forward to welcoming you to the event.
Annual Conference 2005
WMRN/WMRAF Conference 2005: Delivering Rural Advantage for All
The Annual WMRAF Conference took place at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Thursday 10 November 2005.
The Government published its Rural Strategy on 21 July 2004 setting out three priorities for rural policy:
- economic and social regeneration,
- social justice for all and
- enhancing the value of the countryside.
This Rural Conference focussed on the progress that has been made to deliver these and the changes that have occurred at the national, regional and sub-regional level affecting the rural West Midlands and its people.
The Rural Delivery Framework (RDF) for the West Midlands was launched at the conference using a 3 month consultation process ending on 13 February 2006. This offered an opportunity to comment on the proposed new Framework and ensure that the right priorities are identified to enable more informed decision-making for our rural areas. In particular, the Conference workshops provided delegates with an early opportunity to engage in this consultation process.
See the report of the conference here.
Annual Conference 2004
WMRN/WMRAF Conference 2004: Devolve and Prosper ...
developing a Regional Delivery Framework
The Rural Affairs Forum presented a one-day conference - 22nd October 2004, at Uttoxeter Racecourse
To see details of the Conference, including presentations, go to the 2004 Programme.
Message from the Chairman of the West Midlands Rural Affairs Forum:
The Government’s Rural Strategy 2004, published on the 21st July this year, has three main objectives: economic and social regeneration, social justice for all and enhancing the value of our countryside. Within these broad national objectives the Strategy recognises that priorities will differ between and within regions. The devolution of decision-making and delivery to regional and local levels is one of the key aspects of the Strategy so it is vital to have customer engagement in this process.
The starting point is the development of a Regional Delivery Framework led by the Government Office for the West Midlands. The purpose of this conference wass to provide customers with an opportunity to contribute to the Framework through focused workshop discussions following presentations from key regional partners.
Tony Harris
The Rural Strategy 2004 and associated Fact Sheets can be downloaded from: www.defra.gov.uk/rural/strategy/default.htm